There are over 22 000 ISO standards, but a lot of people know only one: ISO 9001. 

ISO 9001, or the international standard for quality management systems, is the most popular standard in the world. Below, we explain what is it, why ISO 9001 is important, who it’s important for and how much it costs to become ISO 9001 certified.

What is the ISO 9001 Standard?

ISO 9001 is the standard for quality management. Okay, great, but what is a standard?!

A standard is a document that outlines how something should be done, in order for it to be done well. Whether it be making your products, managing your employees or providing your services, standards are there to be your guidebook on best-practices.

ISO 9001 is the internationally recognised standard for quality management. It’s a set of criteria set out by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), designed to help businesses improve their quality management system (QMS).

If the criteria in the ISO 9001 standard are followed, businesses can become certified to that standard after being reviewed by a certification body.

All businesses can benefit from a quality management system. A quality management system that follows the criteria in ISO 9001 is said to be compliant to that standard.

Why Get ISO 9001 Certification?

Quality management systems are important to businesses of all sizes, and in all industries. Following the international standard for quality management, ISO 9001, ensures that your quality management system is up to scratch. So you’ve got a great quality management system, which you use to deliver the best possible products and services to your clients and customers. Why not tell everyone about it? 

1. Using your certification as a marketing tool to promote your business. Displaying a certification badge on your website or your physical business materials can set you apart from the crowd. 

2. Inspiring client and customer confidence in your business. You may have a quality management system that is compliant with ISO 9001, but you can’t expect your customers to “take your word for it” without becoming certified. 

3. If you’re a construction business, some projects require ISO 9001 certification before you can submit a tender.

Who is ISO 9001 Certified? 

There’s a common misconception that ISO 9001 is only relevant to bigger businesses. In reality, becoming compliant to the standard for quality management is highly beneficial for all kinds of businesses, in all industries, and of all sizes.

There are currently more than a million businesses all around the world who are certified to ISO 9001.

The current version of the quality management standard, ISO 9001:2015, was designed to be more applicable to all size of business than its predecessor, ISO 9001:2008.

What Does ISO 9001 Certification Cost?

The process of reaching compliance with ISO 9001 is different for every business, depending on the size of your operation, the industry you work in, the current state of your quality management system and your number of employees. As such, it’s difficult to say how much becoming ISO 9001 certified will cost. 

However, most Australian compliance consultants will set you a timeline of anywhere between 6-12 months to become ISO 9001 certified. Our compliance experts pride themselves on their specially-designed compliance framework, which can ensure you reach compliance in as little as 8 weeks.

For more information on how certification to ISO 9001 can help grow your business, download the free information pack below: